August 6, 2007
It’s been six months since I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
It was the best thing that could of ever happened to me.
Having Type 2 diabetes increases my risk for many complications, including heart disease, blindness and nerve and kidney damage, according to the American Diabetes Association. It could also take me away from my wife and kids.
So I’ve since lost 40 pounds; my doctor calls me “Skinny.” With exercise and medication, I’ve gotten my blood chemistry close to that of a normal man my age.
When people bring in cakes and other goodies into the office, I don’t partake.
I look at sweets as if I were an alcoholic; one taste may take me off the wagon. Food is no longer a reward or a something I turn to when I’m stressed.
Still, I munch on nuts and fruit all day long; my nightcap is a couple scoops of “no sugar added” ice cream, which serves as a laxative that helps me digest those nuts and fruits.
My old clothes are now hanging in a closet in another bedroom. My new wardrobe consists of four pair of dress pants, three pair of shorts and two T-shirts in my new size containing just one “X.” I’m keeping my old dress shirts for now because the neck is more comfortable.
So, good for me, right?
Well, maybe there is more.
I waited too long to get to the point where I decided I needed to change my lifestyle. But I got there, or at least close to where I have to be, because I got a scare.
I am no evangelist for healthy living. I’ve been there — savoring an Oreo, or five — so I won’t try to make anyone change his or her ways.
Despite several previous warnings, I needed to hear my own wake-up call.
Comments
patmcq (anonymous) says...
Congrats to you for your attitude, Dennis. Now, if only the kids living out of vending machines while couch-potatoing through life would hear your wake-up call. I've actually had concerned students write about the need for re-thinking the content of vending machines in high schools and colleges. What do they find to be the greatest barrier to changing to healthful snacks? The fact that soft drink companies own junk food companies. When they make those lucrative contracts with schools, it's not just for Pepsi or Coca Cola.
August 6, 2007 at 11:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
danderson (danderson) says...
Hi Pat. Thanks for reading and responding. You make an excellent point. It's too easy to turn to a Snicker's bar or bag of chips when you are hungry, or bored. But you have to come to your own conclusion that it's going to cost you in the long run. That's easier to say as you approach 50 than it is at 16.
August 7, 2007 at 8:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Margo (anonymous) says...
Even the 50 year olds I know (many of whom are pre-diabetic) have a hard time making good decisions. It seems we've substituted chips and candy bars for other, more "adult" carbs, like breads and pastas.
August 8, 2007 at 7:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Gretchen (anonymous) says...
Hi, Dennis!
I can see how you turned this diagnosis into a "good" thing by finally doing what you already knew (subconsciously) to do. It's like just about everything else - from term papers to house payments. You know, I can write that paper (due tomorrow) tonight after I watch Scrubs or, sure the house payment is a week late but they wouldn't actually throw the kids and me out on the street!! It's a procrastination/denial thing, I guess, for so many of us.
When I turned 50 (last year), I decided the rest of my life was going to FABulous!!! I hate to exercise, eat VERY poorly and need alot more money. So, I started my own exercise program! That way I am bound to do it if others are counting on me to be there. I can hardly believe how much fun I am having with this - meeting other fun-seeking adults, serving the community, feeling terrific! Good stuff like that. Then, to address my eating habits, I started drinking Mona Vie - a nutrient-packed fruit juice. The physical results from that are way beyond remarkable! It addresses many health issues - including diabetes. It's so good, in fact, that I decided to add it to my growing list of small businesses. You can check it out on my web site @ www.mymonavie.com/abundavie. You will be SOOO glad you did!
Live Abundantly!
Gretchen
August 16, 2007 at 9:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.